Molecular methods employed in the studies of genetic diversity of clover

Abstract

Studies of the genetic diversity of clover grown in the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture collection involved the use of two molecular methods: analyses of electrophoretic spectra of seed proteins and enzymes and DNA fingerprints. Analysis of protein electrophoretic spectra confirmed the hybrid origin of T. pratense x T. diffusum F1 individuals and partly of B1 individuals, but did not reveal their genetic diversity. Interspecific T. pratense x T. diffusum F1 and B1 hybrids were found to possess two types of superoxide dismutase (SOD) spectra and six types of peroxidase spectra, which give a significant evidence of their genetic diversity. DNA polymorphism of T. pratense x T. diffusum F1 hybrids was revealed by using (GACA)4GT, (CAA)5CG primers for PCR, while (CAA)5CG and (TC)8G primers were better suited for revealing the genetic diversity of B1 hybrids. Using (TCC)5GT, (GA)8CT, (TC)8G primers of microsatellite sequence hybridity was confirmed for 84.2–97.5% of T. ambiquum x T. hybridum individuals, and DNA polymorphism was identified using (GA)8CT, (TC)8G primers. Keywords: molecular methods, clover, interspecific hybrids